Bengaluru: Representatives of state civil contractors, who met DK Shivakumar Tuesday, said the deputy chief minister has promised to clear pending bills worth Rs 32,000 crore soon.The meeting assumes political significance since Karnataka State Contractors Association(KSCA), last month, alleged in public forums that bribes to award contracts had increased to 50% under the present Congress govt from 40% when BJP was at the helm.The association even named three ministers, including Shivakumar, for the rise in corruption. Shivakumar holds two important portfolios: water resources and Bengaluru development. Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, and minor irrigation minister NS Boseraju were also blamed.The association said it wrote multiple letters to chief minister Siddaramaiah informing him of the issue.Last month, association members met Boseraju, who reportedly convinced them that dues to smaller contractors would be paid soon, while larger bills would be settled in a phased manner.”Today’s meeting was very satisfactory since Shivakumar promised to settle all our dues in one go,” said R Manjunath, KSCA president, who led the delegation. “Though he did not specify a time frame, we are hopeful of being paid soon and that the govt will release funds for new projects.”While Shivakumar’s office chose not to divulge details of the meeting, staff say the deputy CM blamed the previous govt for the mess. He had previously pointed out that between 2021 and 2023, the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP govt had indiscriminately awarded contracts worth about Rs 1 lakh crore, without ensuring adequate budgetary allocation. He told contractors that he would put in “earnest efforts” to help them.”Some contractors are approaching legislators of their constituencies and requesting them to pay whatever bills that are pending,” Shivakumar had said. “More than Rs 1 lakh crore of bills in my department (water resources) was left unpaid by the previous BJP govt. We are yet to pay only 10% to 15% of these bills… So, some contractors are requesting their MLAs, party functionaries and others to intervene.”Asked about the corruption issue, Manjunath said the 50% commission issue did not come up for discussion during the meeting. He, however, said Shivakumar assured them of curbing corruption.